Aahana Swrup
In ‘A Complete Unknown,’ the audience accompanies a young artist who embarks on a road to greatness. When Bob Dylan first arrives in New York in the 1960s, he’s a fresh-faced nobody overflowing with big ambitions and the talent to match. During the early days of his career, he makes connections with the right people like Sylvie Russo, who inspires his artistry, and legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, who recognizes the gravity of his potential. Consequently, over time, Bob makes his mark on folk music—until eventually surpassing the genre in his own unique—and controversial—ways. During this uphill climb toward his new sound, the famed artist crosses paths with a Delta Blues singer, Jesse Moffette, who ends up becoming a friendly face in the industry. However, does the bluesman artist have any real-life counterpart in Bob Dylan’s off-screen life?
Jesse Moffette is a Fictional Addition to Bob Dylan’s Story
For the most part, ‘A Complete Unknown’ remains faithful to Bob Dylan’s real life, translating his rise to fame in the 60s for the screen with notable authenticity and realism. Yet, a few fictionalizations persist within its storytelling. Jesse Moffette is one of the most prominent examples of this. Jesse Moffette is not a real musician and remains confined to his role in the cinematic adaptation of Dylan’s life. Yet, despite his fictitious origins, his character still references a part of reality relevant to the beloved musician’s career. Throughout his acclaimed career, Dylan has found artistic inspiration from many—including Blues artists such as Billy Lee Riley, Odetta, Josh White, and more.
As such, Jesse Moffette’s character highlights the cultural overlap between the genres of Blues and Folk music and their influence over one another, especially during the 60s. Nonetheless, the circumstances of his connection with Bob remain a fabrication of the film. In the film, Moffette meets Bob after he’s invited as a backup guest musician at Pete Seeger’s educational TV show, ‘Rainbow Quest.’ After Bob shows up late at the LIVE recording for the episode, he ends up joining Pete and Moffette for a song, even taking inspiration from the bluesman’s technique on the guitar. In real life, Dylan made no such appearance at ‘Rainbow Quest.’ Therefore, Jesse Moffette and the storyline revolving around the character remains a work of fiction, created in service of the film’s equipment of its creative liberty.
Jesse Moffette’s Connection to Blues Singer Muddy Waters
Even though Jesse Moffette is mostly fictitious, with little to no direct counterparts in Bob Dylan’s off-screen life and career, a real-life connection can still be drawn up for the character. Interestingly, the actor who portrays Moffette on screen, Big Bill Morganfield, is the son of celebrated Blues singer-songwriter McKinley Morganfield—better known as Muddy Waters. A blues singer and guitarist in his own right, Big Bill Morganfield continues to carry forward his father’s legacy through his musical career. Now, with his acting debut in ‘A Complete Unknown,’ Morganfield seemingly highlights his father’s career.
Like Moffette, Muddy Waters was a contemporary of Dylan’s. He started his career in the 30s, accompanying Big Joe Williams on tours as the harmonica player. By the 40s, he began recording his own records and found commercial success in the 50s and 60s. His influence as a Blues artist left an indelible mark on the music industry as a whole—and even inspired some of Dylan’s work. In fact, one of Waters’ most popular songs, “Rollin’ Stone,” directly inspired Dylan’s rock and roll record, “Like a Rolling Stone,” from his 1965 album ‘Highway 61 Revisited.’ As such, even though Moffette’s narrative never directly references Waters, the actor behind the character—Big Bill Morganfield—maintains an inherent connection to the Blues artist. For the same reason, it’s possible certain aspects of the fictionalized character were inspired by real-life musicians.
Read More: Where Was Timothée Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown Filmed?
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